After ten days of negotiations, culminating in an all-night session, France has reached an agreement with New Caledonia. The deal provides the South Pacific territory with greater autonomy but falls short of granting the full independence desired by many indigenous Kanaks.
President Macron praised the agreement as historic, though it still requires final approval in New Caledonia. If approved, it would establish a state of Caledonia within the French Republic, inscribed into the French constitution, and introduce a separate Caledonian nationality alongside French nationality.
The discussions originated from the deadly riots last year, which were triggered by proposed changes to electoral rules that pro-independence groups claimed would marginalize Indigenous voters.
The territory has conducted three referendums regarding independence, with voters choosing each time to stay with France.
A special congress is set to convene in order to finalize the upcoming steps. According to media reports, these measures could potentially grant New Caledonia increased sovereignty over international affairs, security, and justice.
The agreement might also eventually permit New Caledonians to alter the territory's name, flag, and anthem.
Negotiators emphasized the need to revitalize and diversify New Caledonia's debt-laden economy, which is heavily dependent on nickel mining, in order to reduce its reliance on the French mainland.
France colonized the Pacific archipelago in the 1850s. After World War II, it was designated as an overseas territory, and French citizenship was extended to all Kanaks in 1957.
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